Ile-Ife Takes the Lead as Ooni Blesses GNA-CAA Governance Committees’ Inauguration

Ile-Ife took a significant step towards citizen-driven accountability on Saturday, October 24, 2026, as the Great Nigerian Assembly (GNA) formally launched its Coverage Area Administrator (CAA) Governance Model and inaugurated governance committees for Ife Central and Ife East Local Government Areas.

The virtual ceremony, which connected participants in Ile-Ife, Chicago, London and other locations, brought together traditional rulers, professionals, community leaders, diaspora members and the first cohort of Certified Citizen Reporters (CCRs). It also featured a goodwill message from His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife.

A major highlight was GNA Executive Director, GN (Dr.) Kayode Elusoji’s announcement of the organisation’s ambition to train one million young Nigerians in citizen reporting, digital journalism, agriculture, healthcare support and artificial intelligence.

‘Complaints Alone Cannot Build a Nation’

The proceedings were moderated by GN Tokunbo Adeniji. In his welcome address, GN (Prince) Johnson Oluwafunso Adetayo, Chairman of the Ife Central LG CAA Governance Committee, welcomed the Ooni and participants joining from different parts of the world.

Addressing the challenges of governance and community development, Adetayo stressed that citizens needed more than opportunities to complain about abandoned projects, unfulfilled promises and poor public services.

“Complaints alone cannot build a nation,” he observed, emphasising the need for organised structures through which citizens could participate in identifying community needs and supporting development.

He described the GNA–CAA Governance Model as an opportunity to move citizens from passive observation to active participation in local governance.

GN (Prince) Johnson Oluwafunso Adetayo, Chairman of the Ife Central Local Government GNA–CAA Governance Committee.

Elusoji: ‘Your Support Has Given This Vision a Home’

Presenting the initiative’s purpose and vision, Dr. Elusoji paid tribute to the Ooni, acknowledging the monarch’s support in establishing the model in Ile-Ife, which GNA selected as the starting point for its planned expansion across Nigeria.

“Kabiyesi, your unwavering commitment and support have given this vision a home. Ile-Ife has always been a place of beginnings, and today it becomes the starting point of a new partnership between Nigerian citizens and those entrusted with public responsibility,” Elusoji said.

He explained that the model provides citizens with a structured platform to document community conditions, monitor public projects and share verified information.

Elusoji emphasised that GNA was neither a political party nor a replacement for government. Rather, the organisation seeks to promote constructive engagement between citizens and public officials, strengthen accountability and encourage evidence-based discussions about development.

He also called on Nigerians in the diaspora to contribute their professional knowledge, experience, networks and resources to community development through an organised framework.

GN (Dr.) Kayode Elusoji, Executive Director of the Great Nigerian Assembly

GNA Targets One Million Young Nigerians for the AI Era

Elusoji announced that GNA was committed to training one million young Nigerians through five certification pathways:

• Certified Citizen Reporters: Documenting, verifying and reporting community conditions, infrastructure and development activities.
• Certified Digital Journalists: Promoting ethical, factual and responsible journalism.
• Certified Agriculture Professionals: Supporting food security, agribusiness and rural development.
• Certified Healthcare Assistants: Providing supervised healthcare support to strengthen community health services.
• Certified AI Associates: Developing practical artificial intelligence and data skills for the digital economy.

Explaining the motivation behind the initiative, Elusoji said:

“We are resolved to train one million young Nigerians as Citizen Reporters, Digital Journalists, Agriculture Professionals, Healthcare Assistants and AI Associates. The world is entering an AI-driven dispensation, and Nigeria must not watch from the sidelines. Our young people will power this nation’s transformation — not with complaints, but with skills, integrity and verified results.”

He explained that the programme connects civic responsibility with employable skills, with participants beginning as Certified Citizen Reporters before progressing into specialised professional fields.

He called on individuals, institutions and partners in Nigeria and abroad to support the programme through practical contributions and collective commitment.

How the GNA–CAA Governance Model Works

Elusoji outlined the governance structure established for Ife Central and Ife East. It comprises a CAA Governance Committee for each local government, Ward Manager Committees with three Ward Managers per ward, five Special Development Committees, Certified Citizen Reporters, a Local Government Advisory Council and the Ife LG Pacesetter Committee.

The five Special Development Committees cover infrastructure, health, agriculture, security, and youth empowerment and education.

Under the framework, information moves from communities through Certified Citizen Reporters and ward structures to the relevant development committees and CAA governance committees.

Elusoji stressed that the model’s credibility depends on proper verification, responsible documentation and cooperation among the participating structures.

He clarified that the objective was not to intimidate public officials but to establish clear responsibilities and encourage constructive engagement around community needs and development outcomes.

Ooni: Citizen Reporters Link Communities With Government

The Ooni’s goodwill message was delivered on his behalf by GN (Prof.) Adeola Ayodeji Shobola. The monarch welcomed the initiative and commended its emphasis on governance and community development.

The royal message described Citizen Reporters as an important link between communities and government, particularly at the local government level. It highlighted their responsibility to document public projects, monitor infrastructure and draw attention to matters requiring intervention.

The Ooni congratulated the organisers and the first cohort of trainees, acknowledging the efforts of Elusoji and his team.

He also charged the reporters to become responsible ambassadors of the initiative, shun sycophancy and keep personal sentiments and bias out of their reports.

The monarch expressed hope that the model would extend beyond Ile-Ife and become an example for other local governments and institutions.

GN (Prof.) Adeola Ayodeji Shobola, who delivered the Ooni of Ife’s goodwill message at the GNA–CAA governance committee inauguration.

Committee Members Sworn Into Office

Members appointed to the Ife Central and Ife East governance committees were formally inaugurated, with Barrister Sola Oyeyemi administering the oath of office.

The appointees pledged to uphold the GNA–CAA Governance Model and perform their responsibilities with integrity, diligence and impartiality.

They also undertook to avoid partisan interests and personal advantage, protect the organisation’s funds, records and reputation, disclose conflicts of interest and ensure the proper handover of institutional assets and records when leaving office.

The inauguration marked the formal commencement of their responsibilities under the governance framework.

Barrister Sola Oyeyemi, who administered the oath of office to the newly inaugurated GNA–CAA governance committee members.

First Certified Citizen Reporters Recognised

The first cohort of Certified Citizen Reporters was individually recognised during the ceremony. The organisers assured them that the resources required for their assignments would be provided.

Their responsibilities include documenting existing infrastructure, recording its condition and identifying areas requiring attention while ensuring that submitted information is accurate, impartial and verifiable.

Speaking on behalf of the reporters, GN Adetogun Mobolaji thanked GNA for the training and the opportunity to serve.

He explained that the programme had equipped participants to report community incidents, document the condition of social amenities and understand the responsibility associated with sharing information publicly.

Mobolaji urged fellow reporters to protect their credibility by verifying every report before publication.

Members of the Great Nigerian Assembly’s first cohort of Certified Citizen Reporters, trained to document, verify and report community conditions responsibly.

Speakers Endorse Accountability and Diaspora Engagement

Several speakers commended the initiative and highlighted its potential to strengthen governance, mobilise diaspora expertise and promote community development.

Dr. Collins Nweke, a member of the GNA Advisory Board, said the model could connect Nigerians abroad with verified needs in their communities of origin. He noted that diaspora contributions extend beyond remittances to include expertise, mentorship and professional networks.

GN Oladipupo Olafiranye highlighted the opportunity to transform “brain drain into brain gain” by harnessing the knowledge and experience of Nigerians abroad.

Prof. Mariam Eniola Oyewande commended Elusoji’s vision and determination, stressing the importance of a shared mission and welcoming the participation of young people.

Sooko Architect Alani Opeloye identified citizen participation, accountability and community development as three pillars of the model. He emphasised that success should be measured by the problems identified, solutions implemented, transparent management of resources and lives positively affected.

Dr. Janet Olaabode stressed that accountability must transcend ethnic and regional divisions, with public officials encouraged to translate promises into tangible results.

Dr. Olu Apata proposed open channels through which political parties and public officials could submit information about projects for independent verification. He warned against allowing financial inducements to compromise the work of Citizen Reporters.

GN J.A. Olowoporoku urged journalists and CCRs to report without fear or favour, acknowledging that accountability initiatives could encounter resistance.

Sooko Adeleke Odewale described the initiative as a call to nation-building, observing that Nigeria’s challenges were linked not only to resources but also to organisation, management and accountability.

Barrister Sola Oyeyemi noted that poor governance affects Nigerians at home and abroad, while Barrister Olalere Olaobaju said the model could strengthen scrutiny of public officeholders, from local government chairmen to governors and the President.

Rev. Amos Oladipo and GN Benjamin Martins commended Elusoji’s perseverance and called for courage, integrity and practical action.

HRM Oba Adetayo Rasheed Oladele (Adegbaju I), the Adagba of Iyanfoworogi, Ile-Ife, thanked the volunteers for contributing their time and resources and acknowledged the importance of the Ooni’s support.

Dr. Collins Nweke, member of the GNA Advisory Board.

Technology Platform Provided at No Cost to Communities

The model operates on the GNA CAA Governance App, designed and deployed by CPI Technologies Inc., GNA’s exclusive technology partner.

CPI Technologies fully funded the development of the digital platform and its mobile application ecosystem. As a result, communities, Certified Citizen Reporters, Ward Managers and participating local government stakeholders do not bear the cost of developing the platform.

The company continues to provide technology support for the initiative.

The GNA–CAA digital governance platform, designed to support citizen reporting, documentation, verification and accountability.

GNA Sets Sights on All 774 Local Governments

In his closing remarks, Elusoji thanked the Ooni, GNA members, committee members and other supporters who contributed to the ceremony.

He said the next phase would focus on strengthening the structures in Ife Central and Ife East, deepening engagement with stakeholders across the Ife local governments and progressively introducing the model to other local government areas.

The long-term ambition, he reiterated, is to extend the framework to all 774 local government areas in Nigeria.

The ceremony ended with a closing prayer by the Adagba of Iyanfoworogi, seeking God’s continued guidance for GNA, its leadership, the newly inaugurated committee members, the Certified Citizen Reporters and all supporters of the initiative.

For Ile-Ife, the inauguration marked the beginning of a new phase in organised citizen participation. The model’s success will depend on the daily work of its committees and reporters: verifying information, engaging constructively with stakeholders and accurately documenting community conditions.

Through this framework, GNA aims to strengthen the relationship between citizens and public institutions, promote accountability and help transform public commitments into verifiable development outcomes.